Practical Music

The department places a high emphasis on performance and practical music making. The College's ensembles range from two Concert Bands, a Baroque String group, full Symphony Orchestra, three Choirs, Symphonic Brass group, Wind Quintet, two Flute groups, and a Swing Band. Each ensemble plays its part in a very busy concert schedule and enters local and national music festivals on a regular basis. Numerous concerts are given and highlights include an annual full-scale concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, our very own ‘Last Night of the Proms', Prize Day at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Christmas and Carol Concerts. The senior ensembles have an envious reputation throughout the region and beyond, and are frequently hired to perform at various functions and engagements. These range from wedding and birthday parties to the Lord Mayor's Ball and regular appearances at The Marriott Hotel Liverpool, Aintree Race Course and the Philharmonic Hall.

The Music Department tours biennially. Overseas tours have in recent years been to Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Italy, Austria and Switzerland taking an average of seventy students each tour.

Soloists are actively encouraged and play an important role in school concerts. Informal recitals are regularly held in the College and in the local community and the College is also a centre for Associated Board examinations which are held every term.

Sixth Formers form the backbone of the College's senior ensembles and are involved not only in playing, but also in the decision making of repertoire, leadership and the organisation of these groups.

Academic Music

Music is taught at both AS and A2 level with students consistently achieving grades higher than expected. The Music Department is proud of its 100% pass rate and allows students who may not have taken music at GCSE level to undertake the AS course, subject to candidates passing Grade V Associated Board, or equivalent, practical exam. Our motto of ‘Music for all' is very evident in that we make studying academic music as accessible as possible. It is not just for the Mozarts of this world!

AS Outline

MUSC1: Influences on Music

Written paper 1 hour 45 minutes

• Section A contains structured listening questions using a CD of musical excerpts. Candidates then answer two essay questions, one based on the set work from the compulsory Area of Study, The Western Classical Tradition, and one based on a second Area of Study chosen from: Choral Music in the Baroque Period
• Music Theatre: a study of the musical from 1940 to 1980
• British Popular Music from 1960 to the Present Day

MUSC2: Composing: Creating Musical Ideas

Externally assessed coursework completed in controlled time.

Candidates respond to one brief from a choice of three:

• Compositional techniques
• Free composition or pastiche
• Arranging

MUSC3: Performing: Interpreting Musical Ideas

Internally assessed coursework

Candidates offer two performances from a choice of six, including opportunities for solo, ensemble and/or technology-based performance.

A2 Outline

MUSC4: Music in Context

Written paper 2 hour 15 minutes

Section A contains structured listening questions using a CD of musical excerpts. Candidates then answer two essay questions, one based on the chosen set work from the compulsory Area of Study, The Western Classical Tradition, and one based on a second Area of Study chosen from:

• English Choral Music in the 20th century
• Chamber Music from Mendelssohn to Debussy
• Four decades of Jazz and Blues 1910 to 1950

MUSC5: Composing: Developing Musical Ideas

Externally assessed coursework completed in controlled time.

Candidates respond to one brief from a choice of three:

• Compositional techniques
• Free composition or pastiche
• Arranging

MUSC6: Performing: A Musical Performance

A fifteen minute recital which is externally assessed

Candidates will offer two (or more) contrasting pieces to form a short programme for either solo acoustic performance and/or performance via music technology.

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